About to buy. What do you think?

[Goran]

Configured a pretty cheap compy for my little brother. He's using it mostly for school work, some games (hellgate london), and media.
I think it will suffice.

Anyway here goes:
GFX: ASUS EN9600GSO TOP/HTDP/384M GeForce 9600 GSO 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121251

Case & PSU: Antec NSK4480 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129031

DVD-RW: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078

RAM: G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5S-2GBPQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231121

CPU: Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2180 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052

Keyboard: LITE-ON SK-1788/BS 2-Tone PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823107120

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

Total: $$446.88
Comes out to about $489 after shipping.

Can I improve? Can I make it cheaper without losing performance?
Thanks!!

 

[ragingazn628]

Looks good but for 10 more dollars you can have double the HD space

 

[StevieD]

How old is "little brother" and how long is the this computer expected to last?

 

[1971Rhino]

If you're only going to run one card I would go for a 9600 GT the 512MB will make a difference. There are some decent cards at NewEgg for $140.

Also I agree with ragingazn628 about the HD space.

I'm not sure you could make it any cheaper, and keep it the same performance.

 

[aevm]

You can add a cooler and overclock that E2180.

 

[flyin15sec]

For $3 more, This setup might get you a little more bang

1. Case + PS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147095 $24.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703017 $64.99 = Total $89.97

Replacing the Antec /w PS (total $89.94) for a cheaper case but a lot better PS. The Case is subjective to your own taste, however the PS is more wattage rating and from a very good quality maker.

2. Replace the Samsung($32.98) with this : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057 $30.99. It is retail so you get box that includes software, cable, screws, manual.

3. Replace G31mobo($72.58) with P31 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128077 ($72.58). P31 is much better suited if you want to OC, plus it supports 1066mhz RAM.

4. Replace your RAM($48.98) with these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 $44.99, esentially the same ram for a bit cheaper price.

Rest of the items should suffice. My total came out to be about $472.91 and /w Shipping $491.37.

 

[Goran]

thanks! I will look at those parts and see if I can swap anything around.

 

[aevm]

Good point - the G31 has onboard video and you don't need that since you're getting a video card anyway.

 

[Goran]

Anyone else have any other opinions? I'm getting close to purchasing!!!

 

[aevm]

Get one of the new HD 4850 video cards. It's huge bang for the buck.